BOATING MYSTERY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1181, 17 July 1911, Page 4

BOATING MYSTERY.

BODY OF MR, HEPPLE RECOVERED,

About two o'clock on Saturday afternoon the body of a man was seen lying on tho rocks just beyond Ngahauranga. L'rom papers found in (ho clothing, thoro is no room left for doubt that it is (ho body of the late .Mr. George Hopple, draper, of Lower Hutt, who, in company with two of his son?, wont on a fishin" expedition in the harbour on ,luuo 22' and never-returned. Tho body was removed to the morguo on Saturday, and at three o'clock yesterday afternoon the City Coroner (Dr. A./M'Arthur, 5.31.) opened an inquiry into tho cause of death. Sergeant Kelly, of Lambton Quay Station, represented the police. The Eev. JI. B. Harris, of Alicetown, Lower Hutt, who had known deceased for nearly two years, said that tho latter was fMiior deacon of the Congregational Chui'iii, Lower Hutt, and witness last saw him at tho church about 9.30 p.m. on Juno 21. Deceased was then in good health and spirits. Witness was unable to identify the body, but recognised certain papers found as being in tho handwriting of tho deceased. There wero a number of quotations from tho Bible, written out in connection with a discussion on "Justification" at one of tho church meetings, at which deceased had I been a regular attendant. Witness also | identified tho wearing apparel as belonging to deceased. Alexander Freeman, residing at Alicetown, and employed at tho meat works, Ngahauranga, stated that, while coining from the Hutt to Wellington in tho 1.52 p.m. train, ho noticed tho body on tho rocks. Ho got off tho train at Ngahauvnnga, and walked back to tho spot, and also asked the stationmastcr to ring up tho police. Witness remained at the spot until the police arrived. Constable Smart, who brought the body from Ngahauranga to tho city morgue, also gave evidence. At this stage the Coroner adjourned tho inquest to Petono at 11 a.m. to-day, in order that the police might secure tho evidence of two witnesses, who are stated to hnvo seen deceased, about 4 o'clock on the afternoon of Coronation Day.